Meet the students from the College of Public Health and Health Professions, a diverse group dedicated to improving health and well-being in communities around the world. These students come from various backgrounds, united by their passion for health and their commitment to making a positive impact. They bring unique perspectives and experiences to their studies, preparing to become the next generation of health professionals who will address pressing health challenges and advance their field.
Meet: Jessica Donaldson
Program:Â Public Health, Ph.D., Environmental Health concentration
Educational Background: I received my Bachelor of Science in Marine Science (Biology Track) with a double minor in chemistry and Psychology from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Research Interests:
- Aquatic and molecular toxicology
- Detoxification processes in fresh and salth water organisms
- Harmful algal blooms and mitigation
- Role of the microbiome in the detoxification process of marine and aquatic organisms
- Harmful algal blooms in salt and fresh water
- Biomonitoring and mitigation practices to help reduce xenobiotics present in salt and fresh water
Why did you choose the University of Florida?
I choose the University of Florida as it offers a highly interdisciplinary approach to studying environmental health. Environmental health and toxicology include many vast research topics and it is difficult to discern them all. However, through the program’s approach I will be able to gain an understanding of topics that may be outside my specific research sector. Within my specific research sector, the University employs advisors with the same research interests as me which is one of the main reasons I decided to attend the University of Florida. My advisor, Dr. Bisesi, has vast knowledge and experience in the realm of environmental toxicology and the microbiome, and his research interests align perfectly with mine. Thus, allowing me to pursue my research interests during my Ph.D.
What philosophy guides you in your education?
The only way to truly fail is not to try at all.
What is your research experience?
After I graduated from undergrad, I interned at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida researching the sublethal effects of Karenia brevis on hard clams, Mercenaria mercenaria. My research was focused on looking at the acclimation and depuration of brevetoxins in M. mercenaria at high and low doses as well as find the level at which M. mercenaria is toxic for human consumption. In addition to the primary goals, I analyzed proteomic data and two specific enzymes to elucidate the brevetoxin detoxification process in M. mercenaria. I also conducted a Karenia brevis sublethal and LD-50 study with Acropora cervicornis. The studies utilized cell count monitoring, solid-phase extraction for LC-MS/MS analysis, and enzyme activity assays.
If you could solve one environmental and/or global health problem, what would it be?
The environmental health problem I would solve is the increased abundance of harmful algal blooms in fresh and salt water. Harmful algal booms impact the economy, human health, and marine/aquatic organisms. The concentration, duration, and location of various harmful algal blooms have increased in recent years which leads to more prolonged negative effects. Therefore, through mitigation and policy I would want to decrease the abundance of harmful algal blooms and therefore decrease the negative effects associated with them.
What are your career goals?
I hope to pursue a career in both industry and academia. After completion of my Ph.D., I hope to become an environmental consultant. Following my work in industry, I plan to pursue a career in academia as a professor with a focus in research and mentoring the next generation of ecotoxicologist and environmental health professionals.
Want to learn more?
If you’d like to learn more about the Ph.D. in Public Health with a concentration in Environmental Health program,  click here.
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